"As far as opening nights go, this one was a flop."
"I don't think we were at our best. They outplayed us for the majority of the game, I think. We had some good moments in the game . . . but I think what we're trying to get to is better than what we showed today. But on the other side of that it's the first game. I know we're going to be better."
"Brazeau stung the Rangers with his first goal, with 32.0 seconds left in the opening period. Vincent Trocheck lost a defensive zone faceoff to Malkin, who fed a wide-open Brazeau in the low slot. Brazeau pulled the puck to his backhand and lifted it over Igor Shesterkin to make it 1-0. His second goal came into an empty net with 2:12 remaining in the game, and Lizotte added a second empty-netter 20 seconds later to close the scoresheet."
The New York Rangers opened their Centennial season with a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. Justin Brazeau scored twice and Blake Lizotte added an empty-net goal late to seal the win. The Penguins were led by veterans Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang with younger support around them. Vincent Trocheck lost a defensive-zone faceoff that led to the first-period goal, and Igor Shesterkin was beaten on that play. The Rangers were shut out in a season opener for the first time since 2021. Captain J.T. Miller and coach Mike Sullivan both said the team must improve after the disappointing performance, and the loss stunned the home crowd.
Read at Newsday
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